Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

When Cyran and I step foot into the encampment, it's like time stops. Everyone stops to stare at us and my cheeks flush. During our hike back, we didn't say a single word to each other. I needed to be left alone with my thoughts and reflect on everything that has happened. It still feels like a nightmare straight from the depths of hell. I'd laugh if I wasn't so heartbroken. Things got so bad after he stumbled into my life. I wonder if they'll ever be good again. Will my life ever make sense?

We stop in front of Serge's cabin and Cyran tells me to wait outside. "I'll go talk to him. When I call you in, don't say a thing? Do you understand?"

When the door shuts in my face, I turn around. The entire group is gathered behind me, staring at me with dark, unsympathetic eyes. I bet everyone's here to watch my execution. Life here can be so dull, I bet this will be entertaining for them. I see Donna standing by the makeshift kitchen next to Emilia. She's staring at me with a blank expression. No anger, no hatred, just blank. Is this what she wanted? To have me killed? Was this all part of her plan? How does my death benefit her? Someday I'll wring her old neck for this.

The door reopens and Cyran extends his hand. I can't decipher his expression. I take it hesitantly and he shuts the door behind us. Inside is dark despite the sun burning the bright outside. Serge has his back to us and he's naked again. I guess that's something I'll have to get used to. If I live to see another day.

"I knew you'd be trouble," Serge says. "Give me one reason why I should order my beta to kill you in front of the whole pack."

Cyran steps in front of me. "She won't do it again, uncle."

"I was talking to her," he growls.

"I'll vouch for her," Cyran insists. "If it happens again, you can have my head mounted on your wall. Spare her this time."

Serge chuckles and turns around. I lower my gaze. "Cyran, my boy, you're so naive. How can you entrust her with your life? You do not know this female. She betrayed this pack, she disobeyed her Alpha. She will do it again."

"She will not."

"How can you be so sure?"

"The Moon—"

"The Moon lies, nephew. She has abandoned us a long time ago." Serge approaches us. He smells weird. Like moss and deer. And wolf. "You cannot be sure of what you saw. It could have meant anything. I will not have you risk your life for her."

"That is my choice to make." There's something in Cyran's voice I haven't heard before. Even his uncle seems a little stunned at his tone.

Serge inclines his head. "Fine. As you say. The next time she wrongs this pack, you will pay for it with your head. I will not spare you because you are my blood. However, I order her isolation. She is not to come into contact with any packmate and will stay without food and water for three days. You may leave." I follow Cyran to the door.

"Watch yourself, Cyran," he says as we leave his cabin. "You're becoming more like your brother as the days pass."

Once we get outside, he begins barking orders. "Return to your duties! There's nothing for you to see here." His voice is filled with authority and everyone disperses. I follow him to the last cabin, the one I occupied previously, and he opens the door. It looks even smaller than the last time, but I don't say a thing. I'm too defeated. I sit and stare at the ground.

"You heard what Serge said. You have to stay here. I'll chain the door."

I don't respond.

He growls deep in his throat. "I only have one thing to ask you. Who told you of that path?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's not true. I can sense you're lying. Only a handful of us knew about it, and one of us must have told you. I know I didn't tell you, and Serge wouldn't either. Was it Justin?"

I look at him. His eyes are dark and his mouth is set in a firm line. I don't recognize this Cyran. His facial expression is demonic. He isn't normally like this. I should just tell him the truth. I should tell him it was Donna who showed me the way out when everyone was eating. Why don't I? "What if it was?"

"Don't mess with me. Tell me who told you."

"How did you find out that I was gone?" I ask this to kill time, but also because I'm mildly curious. I had not seen him around the entire day, so how did he know?

"Answer me first."

I gulp. "I will when you tell me how you knew."

He runs his hands through his hair and growls. "Curse you. Curse you to the Moon and back. Ever since you came into my life, everything has turned upside down!"

"I'm glad you share the same sentiment. Why didn't you let your uncle kill me then if I'm such a burden? You brought me here! You crashed into my life and ruined everything for me!"

"What life? That lie you were living? Is that the life you miss so, Mia?" His words cut deep and I wince. The frown leaves his face and he expels a breath. "I didn't mean to say that. Please, forgive me."

I don't say anything. He's right. I was living a lie. Sasha was my closest friend and she knew how much I loved Garrett. Her betrayal stings, but Garrett's? Whenever I think of him, I feel this ache in my chest that won't go away. It pulses in me without ceasing.

"It was Emilia who told me you were gone. She said she sent you to fetch a bucket of water, but you never returned." He explains after a moment of silence.

I roll my eyes and scoff. "Of course it was her." I could kill her. She's so cynical and conniving. Of course, she'd run to Cyran. I should have known. "She's desperately in love with you, you know. Maybe you should do something about it."

The corners of his lips twitch and I don't know what he's finding humorous about this. "Is that what you want, Mia?"

"Why not?" I challenge, though something inside of me is in agony. I think of her again, of her pretty blonde hair and vibrant smile. I want to scratch her face and rip her hair off her skull. I need to stop thinking about her.

"We both know that isn't true," he says with a smile. "You can deny it as much as you want."

"Don't be so sure. You might be disappointed."

In a flash, he lifts me to my feet and presses against me. My back hits the wood and he hovers above me. His warm breath fans my face and I grow dizzy for a moment.

"I'm sure, Mia. Make no mistake of it. We both know how this is going to end. You just need to start accepting it."

I try to push him, but he doesn't budge. It's like trying to move a mountain. "Let go of me."

His face moves even closer to mine. "Or what?"

He kisses me and my body comes to life. Whatever was dormant inside of me is now leaping with joy. My legs grow weak and he holds me up by circling my waist with his arms. His tongue slips inside my mouth gently, and the feeling is so exquisite I could faint. I'm holding onto him like he's the only solid part of a shattering world. I'm crumbling along with it. His kiss takes my breath away and gives it right back simultaneously, and I'm sure my heart will explode at any second. I don't have the will to push him away and I don't want to. He's touching me with an urgency that's lighting my soul on fire. I don't want this moment to ever end.

When he pulls away, it's like I'm plunged into ice-cold water. We're both breathing hard and his shirt is ripped in places. Did I do that? I lost complete control.

I run a hand through my disheveled hair. My cheeks turn bright red and I lower my gaze. The heat between my legs is a reminder of what transpired between us. I try to take a step, but I nearly trip on the blankets. I steady myself. "Maybe you should go."

I can't bring myself to look at him. I'm too ashamed to do so. I hear no response, and when I turn around, the door is ajar. He left. I peer outside, but I don't see him anywhere. No one is around, the grounds are empty. It's like he just vanished. Or worse, like he was never here at all and I imagined the whole thing.

I close the door and the cabin is completely dark. I lie down and cover myself with a dusty blanket. I close my eyes and all I can see is his iridescent green ones staring back at me. I shudder and my nails dig into the flesh of my palms. I need to erase this from my memory completely. This never happened. I try to think of Garrett as a distraction, but it doesn't work. Not when I can still taste his kiss in my mouth.

I groan. This is going to be a long night.

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